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Bust out your planners, calendars, and PDAs (if you are throwback like that), it’s time to mark your calendars for the HMNS events of this week!

Film Screening & Lecture Dinosaur 13Tuesday, December 9 6:00 p.m.Join paleontologists Peter Larson and Dr. Robert T. Bakker for a candid discussion on the discovery of Sue—the largest, most complete T. rex ever found—and the ensuing battles that Larson and his crew faced after their monumental find. This talk will be followed by a screening of Dinosaur 13—the new film from Lionsgate and CNN Films that tells this riveting story, and features Larson and Bakker. Click here for more info.

Opening of Special Exhibition: Crystals of India at HMNS Sugar LandFriday, December 12Discover the Crystals of India at HMNS at Sugar Land. Originating from India’s Deccan Plateau, a large geologic formation that comprises most of the southern part of the country, the exhibition features a never-before-seen collection of almost 50 of the most beautiful and most perfectly formed natural mineral crystals ever found anywhere in the world. For this exclusive engagement, the temporary exhibition hall at the HMNS at Sugar Land will be transformed into a jewel box that will highlight these exquisite mineral masterpieces in a setting more befitting an installation of the crown jewels—made complete with dramatic lighting and custom display cases.

Crystals of India is organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Local support is provided by the City of Sugar Land, Frost Bank, and Sudha Chittaluru, M.D (Internal Medicine) – First Colony Primary Care.

FrozenSaturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 1410:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey-teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven-to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Arts and crafts will follow this showing of the movie. Costumes are encouraged! Click here to purchase tickets.

Geminid Meteor Shower George ObservatorySaturday, December 13Open until MidnightEnjoy the annual Geminid Meteor Shower at the George Observatory. Not rising until past midnight, the Moon will be favorable this year. The peak of the shower will be 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Dress warmly and bring lawn chairs. Telescope viewing will be open until 10:00 p.m. Cloudy skies will prevent viewing of meteors.

This noble king was called Genghis Khan
Who in his time was of so great renown
That there was nowhere in no region
So excellent a lord in all things.
He lacked nothing that belonged to a king
As of the sect of which he was born
He kept his law, to which he was sworn.
And thereto he was hardy, wise and rich
And piteous and just, always liked;
Soothe of his word, benign and honorable,
Of his courage as any center stable;
Young, fresh and strong, in arms desirous
As any bachelor of all his house.
A fair person he was and fortunate,
And kept always so well royal estate
That there was nowhere such another man.
This noble king, this Tartar Genghis Khan.

Compare this admiring portrayal to Genghis Khan in modern (OK, 80’s) pop culture. Or, what we think we all “know” of him – as the cunning barbarian who spread terror across Asia.

In reality, Genghis Khan was also the brilliant architect of one of history’s most advanced civilizations. Though he was raised in a climate of brutal tribal warfare, he forbade looting and torture. Though unable to read, he gave his people a written language and a sophisticated society, with fair taxation, free trade, stable government, and freedom of religion and the arts.

Now, you can discover the real Genghis in our newest special exhibition, opening Friday – the largest-ever presentation of 13th century treasures related to his life. More than 200 spectacular artifacts will be on display, including the first-ever printing press and paper money, imperial gold, silk robes and sophisticated weaponry of the world’s most visionary ruler and his descendants.

Registrars have many duties and wear many hats but one of my favorite registration duties is condition reporting. Which is exactly what it sounds like; I report what the condition is of an object.

Last week, I had the privilege of working with the staff from the Hebrew University on the installation of our new exhibit, The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story. As each crate was opened and its artifacts unpacked, HMNS Collections staff worked along side of the Hebrew University staff checking every detail of the artifacts to assure they had survived the long journey from Jerusalem intact and unchanged. So I’ve really been up close and personal with a lot of antiquities lately. (Ossuaries are even cooler when you can see the chisel marks.)

Once we agreed that all was good, it was time for the objects to be moved into the cases for the duration of the exhibit. The movement and positioning of high-value artifacts that are fragile or delicate or heavy or any combination of the three is a tricky thing, always left to professionals. And that’s what I really want to tell you about: the guys.

Every museum has them, formally called exhibition preparators, more commonly (and affectionately) known as the exhibit guys. You know that expression ‘jack of all trades, master of none’? Yeah, that doesn’t apply to our guys. If the exhibit designer and the curator want something to look just so, it’s the guys that make it happen. They can build temporary walls and exhibit cases, paint ‘em any color; hang signage, labels, artwork; and wire up the electronic stuff too. They pretty much do it all and do it well. I’ve been working with and watching them for years through many, many exhibit installations but the best is watching them handle the objects.

For The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story, all the guys moved large heavy crates right where we needed them in the gallery. I observed Carlos and Victor gently placing delicate Roman glass and slender metal implements into their exhibit case. Glen, Mike, Carlos, and Victor lifted thousand year old stone ossuaries out of crates, onto tables where we examined them, then smoothly moved them to their exhibit platforms. While all this movement of artifacts was going on they communicated verbally and visually. Their physical movements were steady, exact, cautious, sure-footed, and rarely wasted. Verbal communication was usually short and direct, mostly in English with a little Spanish thrown in. However, the patter can become jokey and teasing once an object, crate, or case bonnet is secure and everyone relaxes for a minute or two. Mike and Carlos are usually the instigators of this behavior.

In every exhibit, there’s at least one ‘hoo-boy-this-is- HEAVY’ object. For this particular exhibit, it was the stone tub. I haven’t a clue what its actual weight is, the Hebrew University staff and the guys could certainly tell you, but it needed some special equipment and handling by the guys.

So, they brought in a gantry that they’ve rigged themselves. It breaks down into a few large parts, a large long I-beam at top, triangular sides with wheels, so they can easily transport and assemble it where it’s needed. There are also differently sized shackles and rope chains that are kept in a big wooden box Glen made. Included in all this are straps of strong but lightweight material that can wrap around an object to steady it while being moved. So the guys expertly got everything in place, always moving slowly and carefully. The tub got lifted out of its crate and the gantry moved over to the exhibit platform. Then oh so slowly, slowly, cautiously, gingerly the tub was lowered to its exact spot. Well, ok, exact spot more or less.

That’s a really brief description of a process that took quite a bit of the morning. Those of us not directly involved with the movement (like your truly) stood way the heck outta of the way but ready to rush in if needed. The guys were doing their standard excellent job but we sorta held our breath from time to time anyway. It’s not so much that a moment like that is tense as it is that everyone is really hyper-focused on what’s happening. But it is a wonder to behold the guys in action, way more entertaining than most sports. And I shake my head in amazement most every time I watch them. Thanks guys!